Pair steal wallet after wresting purse from woman in grocery store

PORTSMOUTH — Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery at a grocery store Tuesday afternoon where a woman wrestled a customer for her purse, whose contents spilled to the floor.

A second robbery suspect, a man, then snatched the victim's wallet from the floor and the two suspects fled the store.

At 2:45 p.m. police responded to Market Basket at 1465 Woodbury Ave. for a reported unarmed robbery. The investigation and surveillance video identified the female suspect in the theft as being white, in her late 20s to early 30s with long dark hair wearing a black and white winter jacket, blue jeans and carrying a large handbag.

The man, also white, was in his mid 20s with a dark colored beard wearing a black Carhart style jacket with blue jeans and black sneakers.

The surveillance video showed the suspects may have been targeting other shoppers in the store before the robbery occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Christopher Kiberd at (603) 610-7504.

You can also contact Seacoast Crime Stoppers by leaving an anonymous tip at (603) 431-1199 or at seacoastcrimestoppers.org. You can also text your tip to CRIMES (274637) with the letters “TIPSCS” and leave your tip that way. If your tip leads to an arrest or indictment of the individual you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.